The Ole Grey Goose

[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]

A most popular banjo song, 1844
Words and music – anonymous


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:


Lyrics

  1. Monday was my wedding day
    Tuesday I was married
    Wen’sdy night my wife took sick
    Sat’day she was buried

Chorus
Oh! looky har, Oh! looky whar
Look right ober yander
Don’t you see de Ole Grey Goose
Smiling at de Gander

  1. Wen’sday night my wife took sick
    Despair ob death cum o’er her
    O! some did cry, but I did laff
    To see dat death go from her
  2. I ask Miss Dinah Rose one day
    In de ole cart to ride
    She war by gosh so bery fat
    I couldn’t sit beside her
  3. Whenshe was gittin out de cart
    Miss Dinah loose her shoe
    And den I spied a great big hole
    Right in her stocking through
  4. Says I to her: you Dinah Gal
    Only looky dar
    Dem heels are sticking out too far
    As a niggar I declar
  5. Says she to me you nigger Jo
    What are you about
    Dere’s science in dem are heels
    And I want em to stick out.